Monthly Archives: March 2018

The Power of Self-Worth

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via Daily Prompt: Micro

The Power of Self-Worth

Micro- a word meaning something small, something scaled down to the point where it is undistinguishable to the naked eye.  It would be easy to mistake something labelled “micro” as being insignificant, but that would be a huge mistake.  Tiny things do matter, and sometimes have the power to create a major impact on the world around them.

When I was growing up, I experienced my share of bullies and snobs, both groups of which seemed determined to prove in my adolescent mind that I was less-worthy, less-deserving, and just plain less than they were.  Why?  At the time it wasn’t obvious, but with the perspective granted by age and maturity, I realize it wasn’t my own shortcomings, but theirs that prompted their behavior.

Stop Bullying!
You should never let anyone make you feel like you are not worthy of love, acceptance, and understanding.  Photo by The Naked Ape on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-N

I was never the most popular student; I lacked any athletic prowess, but I made good grades. I garnered a certain amount of respect from my teachers for my attitude and regard for the rules.  (Yes, I proudly accept now that I was a nerd.) My detractors didn’t share my values, being more concerned with popularity or being “cool.”  Perhaps they were simply jealous of my achievements; I never felt brave enough to ask them at the time.

During my junior high years there were taunts in the line in the lunch room, laughs and whispers behind my back in the hallways.  Oh I know it could have been much worse, but for a thirteen year old who simply wanted to be accepted, life was sometimes painful.

What I had yet to realize, was that the opinions of others, especially the more negative ones, only had power over me when I granted it to them.  Eventually I gained the strength, and experience, to stand up for myself.  The bullies and the snobs in school couldn’t make me feel small or inferior unless I permitted it.

Even today, I sometimes find myself in situations where I am uncomfortable, where I am not sure of my acceptance in a group or situation.  But I recall the lessons of those early years, and acknowledge, that it is okay to be who I am; that whether or not everyone likes me really doesn’t make me less of a person, or less worthy of respect than anyone else. I can only be myself, and that’s enough.

To all my readers out there, remember you are worthy of love, of acceptance.  Never let anyone make you feel like a “micro” being.

Amy

 

Chadwick Boseman Tells You Everything You Need To Know About Why “Black Panther” Is A Must-See

Reposts

Okay, I feel so far behind.  My husband and I only got the chance to see Black Panther this past weekend.  We are big fans of the Marvel Movies, and this was definitely just as good as any have been to date.  The cast was simply stellar, and the story added new dimensions to the universe, with a mostly African-American cast full of strong, smart, independent men and women who represent the best the superhero genre has to offer.  Check out this post from Chadwick Boseman on magicbaltimore.com

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It comes as no surprise, but Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther is going to be one of the biggest Marvel films. It’s already setting records in advance sales for Fandango; it was the top seller among Mar…

Source: Chadwick Boseman Tells You Everything You Need To Know About Why “Black Panther” Is A Must-See

Amy Caudill’s Reviews > The Veil

Book Reviews
The Veil by Chloe Neill
The Veil (Devil’s Isle, #1) 
by Chloe Neill (Goodreads Author)

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Amy Caudill‘s review

Mar 13, 2018  ·  edit
really liked it


Claire Connolly’s life has been turned upside down once already by a devastating war between humanity and the paranormal, due to the tearing of the “veil” between the two worlds. She lost her father to the fighting, and much of her hometown of New Orleans and lifestyle to the aftermath. Post war NOLA is under the control of Containment, the Big-Brotheresque organization that feverishly works to contain any remnants of magic.

Unfortunately, Claire is a Sensitive, meaning that the magic leaking from the Veil affects her, gives her the ability to move objects, if she can learn to control it. If she’s discovered, she’ll be sent to the prison sector of Devil’s Isle to join all the other Sensitives and “Paras,” the magical refugees from the other side of the Veil. If she doesn’t learn to control her magic, she’ll lose her humanity and become a danger to everyone around her. But when Claire sees a young girl in danger, she has to help.

Little does she know that this event will change the course of her life again, leading straight into danger and opening a world of new possibilities. Like the fact that the world is not black and white but shades of gray, and that there’s more than two sides to the conflict. Who can Claire trust, and will she be able to help her new friends save the world?

I picked up this book because it was a selection for my local book club, and I found the premise intriguing. In this “world” Louisiana is under a type of quarantine due to the events surrounding a “break” in a dimensional barrier, with the survivors trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and rebuild in the shadow of an encroaching government agency that has hidden agendas and conflicting interests galore.

The story is told in first person, from Claire’s point of view, and I found her to be both refreshingly complex and suitably heroic in nature. Claire is a survivor in an almost-apocalyptic situation, someone who can deal with anything life throws at her, and then have a good cry once it’s all over. She is both vulnerable and incredibly strong, someone who manages to keep her head and a positive attitude no matter what happens.

This book contains plenty of action, especially towards the climax, which was frankly a relief, as I felt too much of the book was used as a setup for a series. This was my main bone of contention with the book, and why I wanted to give it a 3.5 star rating. There were so many characters, political groups, factions, and differing agendas that I nearly felt the need to draw a diagram so I could keep them straight. Still, I was interested enough that I may have to check out the next volume…

Being Fearless in a Scary World

Blog Posts

Fearless is a word that gets flung around far more often than I would have imagined when I began writing this post.  Merriam-Webster defines fearless as being without fear or being brave.  The truth is, we are all afraid sometimes, so perhaps a more realistic definition of the term would be to carry on despite the presence of those emotions.

Fear in itself is not a bad thing; experiencing fear is just one of the mixed blessings of being human.  And fear can be useful; it can stop us from rushing headfirst into dangerous situations.  It’s what we choose to do with our fears that truly define us.  Do you allow fear to take control of your actions, or do you strive to overcome that fear and take action in spite of it?

When you find a cause worthy of your attention, be it your own situation or something that affects others, do not let your fears prevent you from speaking out, standing up, or otherwise showing your support.  You, as an individual, are a person of value, and your opinion is worth being noticed.

 

rock sky woman
Do you stand up to your fears? Photo on Foter.com

Stand up for yourself.

It can be hard to take a stand when you are faced with harassment, peer pressure, or verbal or physical abuse.  It may feel easier to just accept the unwanted words or actions, and hope you will fade into the background.  Perhaps if you don’t draw attention to yourself, it will just go away.

Deep inside a part of you knows that’s not likely to happen.  In dealing with harassment or peer pressure, the only solution to truly free yourself is to take a stand.  By confronting your tormentors, you may earn their respect or at least convince them to back down.  In dealing with abuse, verbal or especially physical, the best solution may be to simply remove yourself completely from the situation.  You do not deserve what you are experiencing, no matter how much the abuser tries to convince you otherwise.

 

hand lifestyles missions
You don’t always have to stand alone.  Photo on Foter.com

Stand for a cause.

When you find an issue that you are passionate about, it can be difficult to openly talk about it to others, especially if you believe they will not support you or will not share your concerns.  Those feelings should not discourage you from speaking out.  Any cause that is worthy of your attention is likely to draw in others too.  Perhaps they are just as nervous about speaking out, but will happily join you if you fearlessly take the first stand.

There are numerous issues society faces today that need strong supporters.  One person alone is unlikely to achieve much, but by individuals taking a stand, and joining with others, a group can be formed that attracts attention.  Change most often comes when enough people come together to present a united front that cannot fail to be noticed by those in power.

One such movement in the media right now is the #Me Too, which is designed to fight back against sexual assault and harassment of women in the workplace.  As much as many of us fear becoming victims ourselves, it is only by standing together that we can hope to affect change.

We are only human and we all experience fear.  To live a fearless life we have to look beyond those sometimes crippling emotions and live our lives as the people we truly want to become.  Don’t let fear stop you from taking a leap, or a stand, or finding your voice.

Till next time,

Amy